THE MOTHER

 

The Spiritual Significance of Flowers

 

Part I

 

Test and Photograph

 

Contents

 

 

 

Chapter 1

Chapter 7

Aditi and Avatar

Spiritual Attainments

Aditi

Mastery

Avatar

Wisdom

 

Inspiration

Chapter 2

Revelation

The Divine

Consciousness turned towards the Light

Sachchidananda

Conversion

 Divine Presence

New birth

Divine Love

Realisation

Divine Grace

Victory

Divine Help

Transformation

Protection

Immortality

 

Beauty

Chapter 3

Art

The New Creation

Refinement

Promise

Dignity

New world

Wealth

New creation

 

The future

Chapter 8

Superhumanity

Power

 

Godhead

Chapter 4

Agni

Living for the Divine

Supramental Consciousness

To live only for the Divine

Beauty of supramental youth

Attachment to the Divine (orchids) 

Charm of the new creation

Trust in the Divine

Individual power

Friendship with the Divine

Dynamic power

Love for the Divine (roses)

Power of progress

 

 

Chapter 5

Chapter 9

Road to the Divine

Planes of Consciousness and Parts of the Being

Ascension

Complexity of the centres

Aspiration

Supramental influence

Prayer

Spiritual aspiration

Devotion

Spiritual beauty

Remembrance

Psychic work

Opening

Psychological perfection

Receptivity

Mind

Tapasya

Higher mind

Renunciation of desires

Mental simplicity

Unselfishness

Quiet mind

Discipline

Vital opening

Thoroughness

Vital purity

Endurance

Elegance in the emotions

Service

Refinement of sensations

Work

Physical consciousness turned entirely towards the Divine

Organisation

Light in the blood

Help

Peace in the cells

Progress

Peace in the sex centre

 

Health

Chapter 6

Dreams

Bases of Spiritual Life

Power of Truth in the Subconscient

Sincerity

Divine Will acting in the Inconscient

Purity

 

Simplicity

Chapter 10

Humility

Collaboration of Nature

Peace

Blossoming of Nature

Silence

Spontaneous aspiration of Nature towards the Divine

Gratitude

Abundance

Cheerfulness

Light in fairyland

Goodwill

Bird of paradise

Balance

 

Harmony

Chapter 11

Generosity

Awakening of Matter

Faithfulness

Psychic awakening in Matter

Right attitude

Gold

Enthusiasm

Fire

Life energy

 

Plasticity

Chapter 12

Courage

Radha and Krishna

Boldness

Radha's consciousness

Absolute truthfulness

Krishna's light in the Overmind

Spiritual speech

Krishna's play

No quarrels

Krishna's Ananda

Certitude

 

 

Part II

 

Sri Aurobindo Ashram

 

First Edition 2000

(C) Sri Aurobindo Ashram Trust 2000

Published by Sri Aurobindo Ashram Publication Department

Pondicherry, India

Printed in Singapore at Ho Printing

ISBN 81-7058-609-7

Chapter 4

 

Living for the Divine

 

We are united towards the same goal and for the same accomplishment - for a work, unique and new, that the Divine Grace has given us to accomplish. I hope that more and more you will understand the exceptional importance of this work and that you will feel in yourselves the sublime joy that the accomplishment will give you. The divine force is with you - feel its presence more and more and be careful never to betray it. Feel, wish, act, that you may be new beings for the realisation of a new world, and for this my blessings shall always be with you.

THE MOTHER

 

Some give their soul to the Divine, some their life, some offer their work, some their money. A few consecrate all of themselves and all they have — soul, life, work, wealth; these are the true children of God.

THE MOTHER

Page-35


 LIVING FOR THE DIVINE    

56 To live only for Divine

 

56 To live only for Divine

This means to have overcome all the difficulties of individual life.

Myrtus communis. White

57 Attachment to Divine

57 Attachment to Divine

(No comment)

Belamcanda chinensis. Deep orange

Page-36


ATTACHMENT TO THE DIVINE

58 Attachment to the Divine

Wraps itself around the Divine and takes all its support in Him, so as to be sure of never leaving Him. Orchids. All colours

 

 

There is only one salvation: to cling to the Divine like this (gesture with two fists). Not to cling to what one thinks of the Divine, not even to what one feels of the Divine ... to an aspiration, an aspiration as sincere as possible. And to cling to that.

THE MOTHER

 

 

59 Attachment to the Divine

Page-37


 

60 The aim of existence is realised

 

60 The aim of existence is realised

Exists only by and for the Devine.

Cattleya. White

59 Attachment to the Divine

Wraps itself around the Devine and takes all its support in Him, so as to be sure of never leaving Him. Offers itself spontaneously to the Devine.

Cattleya. Many colours

 

61 Beauty of attachment to the Divine

 

61 Beauty of attachment to the Divine

When the physical World manifests the splendour of the Devine. all will become marvellous.

Cattleya. Lavender pink

Page-38


62 Mental attachment to the Divine

Beautiful in form and in expression.

Dendrobium moschatum. Pale golden orange

 

 

The aim of our life upon earth is to become conscious of the Divine.

 

THE MOTHER

 

The true aim of life is to find the Divine's Presence deep within oneself and to surrender to it so that it takes the lead of the life, all the feelings and all the actions of the body. This gives a true and luminous aim to existence.

THE MOTHER 

62 Mental attachment to the Divine

Page-39


63 Emotional attachment to the Divine

64 Attachment in the emotional vital to the Divine

63 Emotional attachment to the Divine

Cups of flowery feelings offered to the Divine Papilionanthe teres. Pale pinkish lavender

 

64 Attachment in the emotional vital to the Divine

An artistic and graceful attachment, perhaps

a little fanciful.

Vanda caerulea. Light lavender blue

 

65 Detailed attachment to the Divine

Manifold, scrupulous, neglecting nothing, always ready to make an effort, meticulous. Vanda tessellata. Olive green

Page-40   


66 Vital attachment to the Divine

Manifold and abundant in its multiplicity.

Spathoglottis plicata. Deep lavender pink

 

67 Integral attachment to the Divine

On the right path to realisation.

Spathoglottis plicata. White

66 Vital attachment to the Divine

Page-41


68 Attachment of the cells to the Divine

 

68 Attachment of the cells to the Divine

They know how to expect everything from Him and to rely only on Him. Epidendrum XObrienianum. Deep red

69 Exclusive turning of all movements towards the Divine

 

69 Exclusive turning of all movements towards the Divine

The sure means of having security.

Eulophia. Light green

Page-42


EXCLUSIVE TURNING OF ALL MOVEMENTS TOWARDS THE DIVINE

70 Lasting attachment

Modest, unostentatious, but persistent.

Hedera. Green

 

What we propose in our Yoga is nothing less than to break up the whole formation of our past and present which makes up the ordinary material and mental man and to create a new centre of vision and a new universe of activities in ourselves which shall constitute a divine humanity or a superhuman nature. .. . No change can be more radical than the revolution attempted in the integral Yoga. Everything in us has constantly to be called back to the central faith and will and vision. Every thought and impulse has to be reminded in the language of the Upanishads that "That is the divine Brahman and not this which men adore." Every vital fibre has to be persuaded to accept an entire renunciation of all that hitherto represented to it its own existence. Mind has to cease to be mind and become brilliant with something beyond it. Life has to change into a thing vast and calm and intense and powerful that can no longer recognise its old blind eager narrow self or petty impulse and desire. Even the body has to submit to a mutation and be no longer the clamorous animal or the impeding clod it now is, but become instead a conscious servant and radiant instrument and living form of the spirit.

SRI AUROBINDO

40 Lasting attachment

Page-43


TRUST IN THE DIVINE

72 Aspiration for trust in the Divine

 

71 Trust in the Divine

Most indispensable for the impulsive vital. Asystasia gangetica. Several colours

 

72 Aspiration for trust in the Divine

An intense need for the immutable peace that is given by the certitude of the Divine Grace. Asystasia dalzelliana. Purple

 

73 Mental trust in the Divine

Firm and definitive, does not question. Asystasia gangetica. Cream yellow

 

74 Trust of the vital mind in the Divine

Opens itself to the Divine Consciousness, with- out trying to hide anything from It. Asystasia gangetica. Pale yellow with lavender

76 Vital trust in the Divine

 

75 Trust of the emotional vital in the Divine

Smiling and sweet, it is sheltered from grief. Asystasia gangetica. White with lavender

 

76 Vital trust in the Divine

Full of courage and energy, it no longer fears

anything.

Asystasia gangetica. Lavender

 

77 Integral trust in the Divine

The trust that gives the true support to life. Asystasia gangetica. White

Trust is the mind's and heart's complete reliance on the Divine and its guidance and protection.

SRI AUROBINDO

 

The core of the inner surrender is trust and confidence in the Divine. One takes the attitude: "I want the Divine and nothing else. I want to give myself entirely to him and since my soul wants that, it cannot be but that I shall meet and realise him. I ask nothing but that and his action in me to bring me to him, his action secret or open, veiled or manifest. I do not insist on my own time and way; let him do all in his own time and way; I shall believe in him, accept his will, aspire steadily for his light and presence and joy, go through all difficulties and delays, relying on him and never giving up. Let my mind be quiet and trust him and let him open it to his light; let my vital be quiet and turn to him alone and let him open it to his calm and joy. All for him and myself for him. Whatever happens, I will keep to this aspiration and self-giving and go on in perfect reliance that it will be done."

SRI AUROBINDO

 

Who trusts the Divine never leaves the loving arms of the Divine wherever his body may be.

THE MOTHER

Page-44


FRIENDSHIP WITH THE DIVINE

And finally, isn't the best friend you can have the Divine, he to whom you can say everything, reveal everything? For there indeed is the source of all compassion, of all power to efface an error when it is no longer repeated, to open the way to true realisation. It is he who can understand all, heal all, help you always on the path, help you not to fail, not to stumble, not to fall, but to walk straight to the goal. He is the true friend, the friend of good and of bad days, he who can understand, who can heal, who is always there when you need him. When you call him sin- cerely, he is always there to guide and uphold you — and to love you in the true way.

THE MOTHER

 

78 Friendship with the Divine

Delicate, attentive  and faithful, always ready to respond to the slightest request.

Canna indica. Glowing red

 

79 Progressive friendship with the Divine

As we progress and purify ourselves of our egoism, our friendship with the Divine becomes more and more clear and conscious.

Canna indica. Bright reddish orange

 

80 Supramental friendship with the Divine

Luminous and light, always smiling.

Canna indica. Bright yellow

78 Friendship with the Divine

 79 Supramental friendship with the Divine

Page-45   


INTIMACY WITH THE DIVINE

 

81 Intimacy  with the Divine

Complete surrender to the Divine and total receptivity to His influence are the conditions for this Intimacy.

Lagerstroemia indica Several colours

 

82 Intimacy with the Divine in the psychic

The natural state of the fully developed psychic

Lagerstroemia indica. Lavender pink

Page-46


There are relations, personal, intimate as life itself, sweet as love, encompassing like the sky, deep like deep waters. A friend walks at our side; a Lover is with us in our heart's secrecy; a Master of the Work and the Ordeal points our way; a Creator of things uses us as his instrument; we are in the arms of the eternal Mother.

SRI AUROBINDO

 

The more you give yourself to the Divine, the more He is with you totally, constantly, at every minute, in all your thoughts, all your needs, and there is not an aspiration which does not receive an immediate answer, and you have the sense of a complete and constant intimacy, of a total nearness. It is as though you carried ... as though the Divine were with you all the time; you walk and He walks with you, you sleep and He sleeps with you, you eat and He eats with you, you think and He thinks with you, you love and He is the love you have. But for this you must give yourself entirely, totally, exclusively.

THE MOTHER

83 Intimacy with the Divine in the vital

Only a pure, calm and desireless vital can hope to enter this

marvellous state.

Lagerstroemia indica. Light purple

 

84 Intimacy with the Divine in the physical

Is possible only for him who lives exclusively by the Divine and for the Divine.

Lagerstroemia indica. Pinkish red

 

85 Integral intimacy with the Divine

The whole being vibrates only to the divine touch.

Lagerstroemia indica. White  

86 Intimacy with universal Nature

 

86 Intimacy with universal Nature

This intimacy is possible only for those who are vast and without preferences or repulsions.

Lagerstroemia speciosa. Rose purple

Page-47


LOVE FOR THE DIVINE

87 Love for the Divine

87 Love for the Divine

The vegetal kingdom gathers its most beautiful possibilities to offer them to the Divine.

Rosa. Many colours

 

Love is the source of the Universe and the power that unites the manifestation to its Creator. Aspire sincerely and one day you will feel and be the LOVE.

THE MOTHER

 

Love is a mighty vibration coming straight from the One, and only the very pure and very strong are capable of receiving and manifesting it.

THE MOTHER

 

Love is the one emotion in us which can be entirely motive- less and self-existent; love need have no other motive than love. . . . Love is that by which we can enter directly into possession of the self-existent delight of the divine Being. Divine love is indeed itself that possession and, as it were, the body of the Ananda.

SRI AUROBINDO

Page-48


88 Integral love for the Divine

Pure, complete, irrevocable, a love that gives itself for ever.

 Rosa. White

 

89 Psychic love

Strong and faithful, it has a beauty that does not belie.

Rosa. Reddish pink

 

90 Flaming love for the Divine

Ready for any heroism and any sacrifice.

Rosa. Orange

 

88 Integral love for the Divine

89 Flaming love for the Divine

Page-49


LOVE FOR THE DIVINE

91 Affection for the Divine

 

92 Tenderness for the Divine

91 Affection for the Divine

A sweet and trusting tenderness that gives itself unfailingly to the Divine.

Rosa. White tinged pink

 

92 Tenderness for the Divine

Sweetness, a charming hue, a delicate form, a smile that gladdens.

Rosa chinensis. Very light pink

 

 

For there is, concealed behind individual love, obscured by its ignorant human figure, a mystery which the mind cannot seize, the mystery of the body of the Divine, the secret of a mystic form of the Infinite which we can approach only through the ecstasy of the heart and the passion of the pure and sublimated sense, and its attraction which is the call of the divine Flute-player, the mastering compulsion of the All-Beautiful, can only be seized and seize us through an occult love and yearning which in the end makes one the Form and the Formless, and identifies Spirit and Matter. It is that which the spirit in Love is seeking here in the darkness of the Ignorance and it is that which it finds when individual human love is changed into the love of the Immanent Divine incarnate in the material universe.

SRI AUROBINDO

Page-50


LOVE FOR THE DIVINE

93 Humility in the love for the Divine

Delicate, effective and surrendered, but very persistent

in its feeling.

Rosa. Lavender or mauve

 

94 Timidity in attachment to the Divine

Full of life, but does not know how to turn this life into

an offering to the Divine.

Rosa chinensis 'Viridiflora'. Green, double

 

 

Love in all forms of adoration is a spiritual force. Love of the highest and the total surrender are the straight and swift way to the Divine oneness.

SRI AUROBINDO

 

For me sadhana consists in loving the Divine more and more integrally, more and more absolutely, with a love so total that it leads to identification.

THE MOTHER

 

93 Humility in the love for the Divine

Page-51


95 Surrender

 

97 Detailed surrender

 

96 Loving surrender  

95 Surrender

To will what the Divine wills is the supreme

wisdom.

Rosa 'Edward'. Pink, double

 

96 Loving surrender

A state that can be obtained by surrendering to the Divine. Rosa. Pink, double

 

97 Detailed surrender

A surrender that neglects nothing. Rosa chinensis ''Minima'. Pink, double

 

98 Pure spiritual surrender

Candid, simple, spontaneous and complete

in its multiplicity.

Rosa 'Prosperity'. Ivory white tinged pink

 

99 Perfect surrender

The indispensable condition for identification. Rosa 'Paul Neyron'. Deep pink, double

Page-52



SURRENDER

By surrender we mean ... a spontaneous self-giving, a giving of all yourself to the Divine, to a greater Consciousness of which you are a part. Surrender will not diminish, but increase, it will not lessen or weaken or destroy your personality, it will fortify and aggrandise it. Surrender means a free total giving with all the delight of the giving. . . . True surrender enlarges you; it increases your capacity; it gives you a greater measure in quality and in quantity which you could not have had by yourself. This new greater measure of quality and quantity is different from anything you could attain before: you enter into another world, into a wideness which you could not have entered if you did not surrender. It is as when a drop of water falls into the sea; if it still kept there its separate identity, it would remain a little drop of water and nothing more, a little drop crushed by all the immensity around, because it has not surrendered. But, surrendering, it unites with the sea and participates in the nature and power and vastness of the whole sea.

THE MOTHER

 

Surrender is the decision taken to hand over the responsibility of your life to the Divine. Without this decision nothing is at all possible; if you do not surrender, the Yoga is entirely out of the question. Everything else comes naturally after it, for the whole process starts with surrender. You can surrender either through knowledge or through devotion. You may have a strong intuition that the Divine alone is the truth and a luminous conviction that without the Divine you cannot manage. Or you may have a spontaneous feeling that this line is the only way of being happy, a strong psychic desire to belong exclusively to the Divine: "I do not belong to myself," you say, and give up the responsibility of your being to the Truth. Then comes self-offering: "Here I am, a creature of various qualities, good and bad, dark and enlightened. I offer myself as I am to you, take me up with all my ups and downs, conflicting impulses and tendencies — do whatever you like with me."

THE MOTHER

100 Mental surrender

 

100 Mental surrender

Occurs when the mind has understood that it is only an instrument.

Rosa. Yellow tinged orange

Page-54


101 Mental love for the Divine

 

101 Mental love for the Divine

The nature  offers its love in a fragrant

blossoming.

Rosa.Yellow.

102 Mental love under the psychic influence

 

102 Mental love under the psychic influence

The mind influenced by the psychic knows the Divine  how to express its love for the Divine in

magnificent terms, will save the world.

Rosa. Cream or yellow tinged pink Rosa.

103 Human passions changed into love for the Divine

 

103 Human passions changed into love for the Divine

Let them become a real fact and their abundance  will save the world.

Rosa. Red

    Page-55


   

104 Balance of the nature in the love for the Divine

 

104 Balance of the nature in the love for the Divine

Passive and active, calm and ardent, sweet and strong, silent and expressed.

Rosa. Bicoloured

Page-56


105 Beauty offers itself in service to the Divine

 

105 Beauty offers itself in service to the Divine

Incomparable splendour, becomes a modest

servitor. Rosa. Salmon

106 Psychic soaring of Nature

 

106 Psychic soaring of Nature

Nature has a soul that blossoms in a lovely way.

Rosa canina. Light pink

 Page-57


LOVE FROM THE DIVINE

107 Supramental attachment to the Divine

There is only one true love, the love from the Divine, which, in human beings, turns into love for the Divine.

THE MOTHER

107 Supramental attachment to the Divine

Manifold and smiling, repeating itself endlessly.

Rosa 'Father's Day'. Light orange, double

 

108 Communion with the Divine

For one who truly has it, all circumstances can become  an occasion for it.

Rosa Xrehderana. Several colours

 

109 Love from the Divine

A vibration of love that the Supreme directs upon a particular point (a person or thing).

Rosa. White tinged pink and yellow

Page-58